How are you feeling right now? Happy? Sad? Energetic? Run down? No matter what you’re feeling at this moment, your hormones have a say in it. In fact, hormones run everything in your body. When they’re balanced and working properly, you feel at your best, and all your body systems are in sync. When they are not working properly, nothing is working properly, and you don’t feel well.Stress affects your body in many different ways. Your endocrine system, the system that works with all your hormones, is one system that really takes a hit when you’re stressed. Let’s look at your endocrine system to see how oxidative stress (stress at the cellular level) affects its function.How Your Hormones WorkWhile you were dozing off in chemistry class, your teacher was explaining how your body produces chemicals and uses them to control certain functions. The system that coordinates everything going on in your body is your endocrine system. It’s made up of hormones and glands that influence nearly every cell, organ and their corresponding functions. These hormones play a role in:

Regulating mood

Growing and developing cells, organs, systems, etc.

Telling tissues how to function

Monitoring metabolism

Controlling sexual and reproductive functions

Think of the endocrine system as controlling body processes that happen slowly over time (growth and metabolism), while the nervous system controls functions that happen immediately (breathing and movement). But they work together to make sure your body is functioning properly.A gland is a group of cells that selects materials from the blood, processes these materials, and uses them to produce hormones (chemical signals). Endocrine glands release more than 20 major hormones directly into the blood stream where they travel to body parts to make things happen. The major glands in the endocrine system include:

Hypothalamus

Pituitary

Thyroid

Parathyroid

Adrenals

Pineal

Pancreas

Reproductive (ovaries and testes)

Hormones are the chemical messengers secreted from the glands. They transfer information and instructions to the body. They are so specialized that even though many different types of hormones move through your body, each type only affects certain cells.How Stress Affects Your HormonesAs most of us know, the higher our stress levels the more likely our mood suffers which can negatively impact several aspects of our lives including—diet, exercise, sleep and libido. But why?If you remember from the Stress & Your Health blog post, the cells in your body work best when the environment surrounding them is kept constant. Stress (from either external or internal sources) disrupts the environment around the cells and, if not kept to a minimum, can challenge the body’s ability to correct the disruption. This places cells under stressed conditions (called “oxidative stress”) and interrupts their ability to function normally. Over time, cell malfunction leads to a disruption of entire body systems which impacts your ability to function normally.When your endocrine system feels stressed from any source, physical or mental, it immediately starts the “fight-or-flight” response by making more adrenaline. These stressors can be any of the following:

Injury or surgery of any kind

Illness or infection

Intense heat or cold

Allergic response

Mental stress

Chronic pain

When these stressors hit, the body starts getting ready to react to danger. Unfortunately, your body thinks that the stress you may be facing involves being chased by a large, hungry animal. It reacts by:

Increasing heart rate

Constricting blood vessels

Dilating the pupils

Slowing less important bodily functions and moving those resources to other body functions

Producing cortisol, the “stress” hormone

Cortisol production causes a whole cascade of hormone activity that starts to increase energy and help your body adapt. But if your body is constantly flooded with cortisol, it gets worn out by these continual chemical messages which, if not taken care of, can eventually disrupt normal body functions.Increased cortisol can even lead to weight gain, especially around the mid-section. That’s because leptin and ghrelin, two hormones that affect appetite and food intake, are constantly directed to be in survival mode. Your body doesn’t know that you aren’t going to starve through a difficult winter, so it gets the signal to pack on the pounds to keep you healthy.

Eat a healthful diet. Whole-food options such as leafy greens, veggies, fruits, whole grains, nuts, fish, and plant-based proteins can help keep your body operating optimally. Look for foods rich in antioxidants and fiber, and try to avoid foods that have been artificially altered with hormones.

Get plenty of rest. You need sleep to combat the stress that starts this whole cascade. Sleeping 7-8 hours per night also helps reset your endocrine system along with all your other body systems.

Exercise—the right way for YOU. For some people who experience high levels of stress, high intensity training is just not the right thing—it can actually raise cortisol levels in certain people. Try yoga or walking, something a little more relaxing. On the other hand, for some people, running, kickboxing, or other high intensity workouts help them calm down. Pay attention to how you feel after your exercise routine and adjust if necessary.

Get out in the sun! Vitamin D is good for your endocrine system, especially your thyroid hormones. The best way to get your body synthesizing this important vitamin is to get out in the sun for at least a few minutes every day.

Take Protandim Nrf2 Synergizer – a dietary supplement that works to reduce the oxidative stress that stems from the stressors we encounter on a day-to-day basis. This unique product contains a blend of phytonutrients that stimulate a protein in your body called Nrf2. When activated, Nrf2 reduces oxidative stress by:

Castor oil is made by pressing the seeds of the castor plant. It’s composed of fatty acids, 90 percent of which is ricinoleic acid, the primary healing ingredient in castor oil.

Apart from rubbing or massaging the oil directly on your skin, you can also make a castor oil pack, which natural healers have recommend for a wide range of ailments — from constipation to colds, Flu, fever, pain or parasites. There are many health benefits of this safe vegetable oil:

1. Safe and natural laxativeCastor oil can help to effectively reduce constipation. Oral ingestion of castor oil can "purge" the digestive tract within two to five hours. Adults can take 1 to 2 tablespoons, while children 2 to 12 years old should be given only 1 to 2 teaspoons. Infants below 2 years old are not advised to take it. You can mix castor oil with water or juice to make it easier to drink.

2. Muscle pain reliefRub it on your muscles after an intense workout to promote blood circulation and relieve soreness. Mix it with essential oils for extra healing and soothing effect.

3. Alleviates joint painThe ricinoleic acid in castor oil has a decongestant effect on the lymphatic system, which is responsible for collecting waste from your tissues and carrying it to your bloodstream to be eliminated, thus helping people with joint pain. Massaging castor oil on the joints can help ease the congestion and jumpstart your lymphatic system.

4. Helps treat fungal infectionCastor oil is believed to be just as effective as anti-fungal drugs in treating common infections like ringworm, jock itch and athlete’s foot. Simply warm the oil, apply onto the affected area before bedtime and leave it on overnight. Repeat for a week or until the infection has disappeared completely.

5. Promotes healthy hair growthMassaging warm castor oil on your scalp (and even your eyebrows) may stimulate the follicles and result in extra hair growth. Do this every night, and you might see improvement in as little as two weeks. Castor oil may work on areas that have been affected by alopecia as well.

6. Enhances hair colorCastor oil locks in the moisture in your hair, giving it a richer and thicker appearance. Apply the oil by running your fingers through your hair.

7. Natural mascaraMelt a tablespoon of beeswax in a double boiler, then add 2 tablespoons of charcoal or cocoa powder (depending on your hair color) and castor oil and mix until you get the desired consistency. This homemade mascara contains no toxic chemical ingredients, unlike other conventional beauty products out there. Alternately, you can apply castor oil to your lashes every night to make them look fuller and thicker.

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected ticks. It is the most common disease spread by ticks in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in New England Area. It is estimated to affect 300,000 people a year in the United States. Because of the low diagnosis rate, the actual number can be much higher.It affects men, women, and children of all ages, and can cause serious health problems if left untreated.Lyme disease is complex. Most people don’t know that they actually have Lyme disease simply because their symptoms overlap with so many other health conditions, and very few doctors are well-trained in its diagnosis and treatment. It is called “the Great Imitator.” Inaccurate testing combined with misconception and misunderstanding about this health condition make it difficult for individuals to get proper treatment. Many doctors are not familiar with the symptoms and effects of this debilitating disease. And the current medical treatment is ineffective and expensive!You might be surprised to learn that many chronic diseases people are suffering are actually the results of tick-borne Lyme and other mosquito-borne co-infections.These highly-treatable infections could cause disabling conditions or even deaths without timely intervention. CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recently released a report indicating that Lyme disease is about ten times more common than previously reported. If you have had tick bites, and have experienced symptoms such as brain fog, memory loss, attention and focus problems, depression , chronic fatigue , fibromyalgia, bipolar disorder, Anxiety, Panic attacks, joint pain, flu symptoms, skin rashes, eye inflammation, hepatitis, swollen lymph nodes, heart palpitations, MS (multiple sclerosis), ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease),and Bell’s Palsy…you might want to consult your doctor and test for the possibility of Lyme disease. Many Lyme patients have suffered from Lyme, mold, parasites, candida overgrowth, toxicity and other stealth infections for years because they have never been properly tested. So it’s important to not only remove the Lyme, mold, and other co-infections, but to also resolve the emotional issues, strengthen your immune system, balance the brain chemistry, and optimize every cell in your body.There might be support groups available in your local area if you need any help and support. Remember, you don’t ever have to suffer in silence!

Using apple cider vinegar mixed with onion juice, applied directly to the skin, can help you get rid of age /liver spots and sun spots.

Finely chop or blend an onion, and use a strainer or cheese cloth to squeeze and extract the juice.

Take one part of Apple Cider Vinegar and one part of onion juice and mix them together.

Dab a cotton pad into the solution and apply it directly onto the age spots.

Leave this on the skin for a minimum of 30 minutes, and as long as you are comfortable with it. Repeat this once a day for approximately 6 weeks and you should begin to notice a gradual improvement. If the spots have not completely disappeared after the 6 weeks but they have started to fade, keep repeating the process until they do. To speed up the process, you can mix 3 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar into a mug full of water (hot or cold), and drink this twice daily for a month. This will not only improve your age spots, but it will also give you a healthy young glow and make you feel energized and active. If you find the taste of the vinegar to be too strong, try adding a tablespoon of honey as a natural sweetener.

Guess what it would be if I could give you just one action item that you can implement tomorrow to start creating a healthy future for yourselves and your loved ones!That would be to replace your cold drinks with hot beverages, especially in the morning. Fire energy is one of the five elements in TCM, and is stored and needed for the furnace of our body - the heart, small intestines, glandular system and circulatory system. This energy is our vitality to get us up in the morning and keep us going. Just imagine you are trying to build a fire, what’s the worst thing you can do? Pour ice water on the fire! In the morning your body is trying to start the fire for the day, any cold drinks (no matter how healthy they might be –cold milk, juice or smoothie…) will destroy the fire, causing deficiency of the fire energy. You might wonder whether it’s better to have cold drinks for lunch or dinner, which is what most Americans like to do. In TCM, every organ has its peak activity time. For example, between 11am-1pm lunch time is the time when the heart is the most active. Ice tea or other cold drinks during this time will cause damage to the heart. No wonder why heart disease is the #1 cause of death in America! Between 1-3pm is the time of small intestine which needs the fire energy for digestion and absorption. How many Americans have digestive issues? Between 7-11pm is the peak time for circulation, sex organs and glandular system such as thyroid and adrenals. Other organs impacted by fire energy include lungs, pancreas, spleen, stomach, liver, kidneys, large intestines, and bladder.If you suffer from any fire-deficiency symptoms such as fatigue, adrenal exhaustion, nervousness, anxiety,low thyroid, muddled thinking, insomnia, low sex drive, poor memory, indigestion, dry skin, low body temperature, poor circulation, heart problems, depression…then stop cold drinks! This one small change will bring big shifts in your health!

There are many species of yeast and fungi and numerous types have positive benefits. For example, yeast helps bread to rise and triggers the fermentation process that allows brewers to make beer and wine. Like mushrooms, yeast microorganisms are a type of fungus. They are an important part of the mix of organisms needed for soil health.

Yeasts are also among the dozens of species of microorganisms that inhabit our intestines. This blend of microbes is known collectively as the intestinal “microflora” and are critical to health.Under the right conditions, however, these normally friendly micro-organisms can multiply out of control and change from friendly allies to nasty little “beasts” that wreak havoc on our health. One yeast that can do this is a little creature called Candida albicans, or candida for short. When candida gets out of control, one develops candidiasis. Other species may also turn beastly, so we’re going to call the problem of excessive yeast in the body yeast overgrowth.

Remember that it’s normal and natural to have some yeast growing in the intestines, as yeast is part of the natural balance of intestinal microflora. However, when the yeast is out of balance and multiplying out of control, serious problems result.

What Causes Yeast Overgrowth?Typically, something upsets the natural balance of our intestinal microflora. Specifically, there are friendly bacteria in the intestines that help keep yeasts in check, the most important of these being Lactobacillis bacteria. Anything that destroys these bacteria will allow yeasts to grow unchecked.It is becoming widely recognized that antibiotics upset the balance of the intestinal microflora by killing the friendly bacteria, but antibiotics aren’t the only reason yeast can multiply out of control in people’s bodies. Many other chemicals in our environment have negative effects on the intestinal flora. These include alcohol, chlorinated drinking water, MSG, nitrates and sulfates. Since yeasts feed on sugar, excess consumption of sugar also plays a role in yeast overgrowth.Once the yeast is out of control, it secretes substances that weaken the integrity of the intestines (resulting in intestinal inflammation and leaky gut syndrome) and are absorbed into the blood stream, thereby weakening the immune system and causing us to crave more sugar. It’s almost like the yeasts hijack the body and cause us to want to perpetuate the environment that sustains their existence.

However, you need to be aware that it's not just yeast that can mulitply out of control because of antibiotics and other chemicals and drugs, it's also bacteria. An overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestines can cause similar problems to excessive yeast. Fortunately, many of the therapies that work for yeast overgrowth also help to reduce bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines. Thomas Easley and I did a webinar on this topic, which we are re-recording and will be offering for sale soon.

Anyway, if you do have a problem with yeast, here are the steps to correct it.

Step One: Modify the Diet to Stop Feeding the Yeast

The first and most important step in eliminating yeast overgrowth is to stop feeding the yeast beast. Yeast love carbohydrates – especially simple sugars. So, to calm the raging yeast beast, limit his food supply! This means eliminating all simple carbs, sugars and refined grains from the diet for a short period of time (usually 2-4 weeks).

It is also important to avoid alcohol because it is converted to sugar in the body. In fact, if your problem is severe, you may want to avoid even whole grains, fruits and starchy foods like potatoes for the first two weeks.

It’s also a good idea to avoid foods that contain yeast or mold, such as bread, beer, aged cheeses and so forth. Many experts also recommend avoiding pickled and fermented foods with vinegar. These foods don’t cause yeast overgrowth, but eliminating them for a period of time seems to help get yeast under control.

This diet may seem very restrictive, but it’s going to help you learn to eat healthier in general. Here’s what you should eat. Have a 3-4 ounce portion of high quality protein at each meal, such as fish, poultry, red meat, eggs, plain yoghurt, nuts or legumes. Meat and dairy products should be organic, as animals raised in non-organic farms are often routinely fed antibiotics, which contribute to yeast overgrowth.

Fill the rest of your plate with low glycemic carbohydrates (non-starchy vegetables) such as green beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, beets, chard, celery, lettuce, radishes and cucumbers. Green foods are especially valuable. You can also eat low glycemic fruits, particularly berries like raspberries and blueberries. It is also important to include good fats in your diet. A particularly good fat for fighting candida is coconut oil because it contains a medium chain saturated fatty acid called caprylic acid that helps control yeast. Other good fats are organic butter, flax seed oil and olive oil.

Step Two: Use Anti-Fungal Agents to Reduce Yeast Overgrowth

Now that we’ve cut off the yeast beast’s food supply, we can knock it down using antifungal herbs and supplements. A convenient way to do this is with the Candida Clear Pack. This pack contains three anti-fungal agents, Pau D’Acro, Caprylic Acid Combination and Yeast Fungal Detox, which provide a three-pronged attack on the yeast beast. Candida Clear also contains packets of Candida Cleanse Enzymes which should be taken between meals to biodegrade dead yeast cells and avoid “cleansing reactions.” Here’s a breakdown of the products in Candida Clear and what they do.

Pau D’Arco bark is one of the most valuable antifungal herbs. It not only reduces yeast overgrowth, it also tones intestinal membranes and acts as a blood purifier to remove toxins and help clear skin conditions. Besides being part of the Candida Clear pack, Pau D’Arco is also available in capsules, extract and bulk form. Many people have successfully tamed yeast infections with Pau D’Arco alone. When using this herb by itself, one quart of tea or about 8-9 capsules per day is a good dose.Yeast/Fungal Detox is a blend containing several herbs that reduce yeast overgrowth, including Pau D’Arco, garlic, oregano, and the antifungal compounds, sodium propionate and sorbic acid. It also contains echinacea, selenium and zinc, which help to rebuild the immune system. Yeast/Fungal Detox is available as a stand-alone formula, as well as part of the Candida Clear pack. Suggested dose for Yeast/Fungal Detox is 1-2 capsules per day.Caprylic Acid Combination is the third product in Candida Clear that helps to counteract yeast overgrowth. It contains caprylic acid, a medium chain fatty acid found in coconut oil that is known to have antifungal and immune-enhancing qualities. Caprylic Acid Combination also contains elecampane and black walnut, two herbs known for their ability to combat intestinal parasites. It is also available as a separate product.

One of the problems associated with knocking down excess yeast in the intestinal tract is that their death results in cellular debris that can cause adverse reactions. To counteract this effect (often called a cleansing reaction) Candida Clear contains a pack of enzymes to be taken between meals. These enzymes digest the dead yeast and allow them to be destroyed without adverse effects. Without these enzymes, you have to take much lower doses of the anti-fungal products to avoid these die-off cleansing reactions.

Step Three: Repopulate the Body with Friendly Bacteria (Probiotics)

The final step in taming the yeast beast is to repopulate the intestines with friendly bacteria or probiotics. Naturally fermented foods such as yoghurt, raw sauerkraut and miso are good dietary sources of these friendly microbes to use when cleansing, but you’ll probably want to also take a probiotic supplement like Probiotic Eleven – a formula containing eleven strains of friendly bacteria to help restore normal intestinal flora. Bifidophilus Flora Force is another good probiotic supplement.

Probiotics should always be taken after a round of antibiotics. They should also be taken regularly by anyone on medications that disrupt and destroy friendly flora. For chronic yeast infections, probiotics can also be introduced into the vaginal area via a douche.

Curcumin in turmeric helps you maintain a healthy digestive system, against infections such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. There are different ways to take turmeric -fresh, powder or capsules...and my favorite is to make it into a delicious drink called golden milk.

1.Place milk in a saucepan over medium heat.2.Add turmeric, ginger, and pepper and stir well. 3.Let the milk begin to simmer and stir. 4.Allow it to heat for another minute or two. 5.Turn off heat, cover, and allow the mixture to cool down.6.Strain the milk through a strainer if you have used fresh ingredients. 7.Serve warm.

Gluten is the common name for proteins in specific grains. These proteins are found in all forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, Kamut khorasan wheat, einkorn, and faro) and other grains such as oats, rye and barley. A gluten-free diet is free from these grains and any foods or ingredients derived from them. This includes breads, pastas, and baked goods made with gluten-containing flours, but may also include unexpected foods such as sauces, salad dressings, soups, and other processed foods.

Celiac Disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory digestive disease that causes breakdown of the intestines due to a gluten allergy. CD results from the immune system response to gluten that damages the small intestine. It can lead to malnutrition and other serious health issues if untreated. When the small intestine is damaged, nutrients pass through it, rather than getting absorbed. To develop CD, you must inherit a gene and be consuming gluten, and the disease must be activated; triggers include stress or trauma such as surgery. The disease is permanent; damage to the small intestine will occur every time you consume gluten, regardless if symptoms are present or not.

It can take some time for people to get diagnosed because many of the symptoms overlap with other diseases. Common misdiagnoses include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), spastic colon/bowel, and Crohn’s disease. To find out if you have CD, your physician will order a Celiac Diagnostic Blood Panel, a test that reveals whether you have elevated levels of certain autoantibodies—proteins that react against the body’s own cells or tissues. Test results will determine whether you need additional testing. A positive small intestine biopsy (showing damaged villi) is the “gold standard” for a CD diagnosis.

Treatment

So far the only known and effective treatment is lifelong elimination of gluten. It is important for patients to take extra enzymes such as Protease to aid breakdown of foods. Probiotics, fiber, magnesium, vitamin B-12 and antioxidants are essential in healing the crisis.

Are you wondering if your couch (or another household item) contains flame retardants? Scientists at Duke University’s Superfund Research Center will tell you. Only polyurethane foam can be tested, but this is commonly used in upholstered furniture, padded chairs, car seats, and more. All you need to remove is a sample the size of a marble, and Duke will accept up to five individual samples per household. Each will be tested for the presence of seven common flame retardants. Here’s how it works: 1. Complete an electronic sample request to generate your Sample ID Number 2. Prepare your sample

Cut a piece of foam, 1 cubic centimeter in size (a little bigger than the size of a marble)

Wrap the foam in aluminum foil

Place each foam sample in its own re-sealable sandwich bag; be sure to completely seal the bag

Categories

What Our Clients Are Saying

"I've suffered from indigestion, insomnia, anxiety, depression, weight gain and severe pain throughout my whole body for years! And I've been to so many different doctors and specialists, taking more and more pills, but just couldn't feel any relief...somehow ended up with more discomfort and symptoms. Thank you SO MUCH for making me feel better, my pain is mostly gone and now I'm a lot happier because I see hope! THANK YOU!!!"

​"My hair started to turn grey when I was in my 30s. By age 45, it was white, and I was losing my hair like crazy. So glad to tell you my hair started to turn brown again. And the hair loss stopped."